Device for the transport of long-welded rails

ABSTRACT

A device for the transport of long-welded rails by way of a rail loading train, including an installation for the secured storage of the rails. The device is configured as a modular unit it has fastening devices for anchoring on a container flat car and includes a separate energy supply unit.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a device for the transport of long-welded rails by means of a rail loading train, including an installation for secured storage of the rails.

PRIOR ART

Various known rail loading trains serve for picking up or laying rails of a track section by means of a gantry crane in a train formation. To that end, the gantry crane is mobile in a longitudinal direction of the track by means of separate undercarriages on crane rails which are mounted at both sides on the rail loading train. During transport travel, the rails must be securely stored and anchored on the rail loading train.

Known according to DE 20 2005 019 061 U1 and DE 20 2009 006 549 U1 is a respective rail loading train for the transport of long-welded rails, with installations arranged on the rail loading train for storing and anchoring the rails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to show an improvement over the prior art for a device of the type mentioned at the beginning for the transport of long-welded rails.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by way of a device for the transport of long-welded rails according to claim 1. Dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention provides that the device is designed as a modular unit having fastening means for anchoring on a container flat car and comprises a separate energy supply unit. A modular unit of this kind can be employed flexibly, wherein a rail loading train can be assembled from container flat cars and one modular unit or several modular units. By means of the fastening means, the modular unit is anchored simply and securely at the existing support points for standard containers. The entire rail loading train can thus be adapted perfectly and cost-effectively to prevailing conditions by an operator, wherein already-existing container flat cars can be used.

In this, it is useful if the fastening means are arranged on a module frame, and if the installation for guiding and/or locking the rails is fastened to the module frame. The module frame offers a structurally simple solution for securely fastening the installation for guiding and/or locking the rails.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the energy supply unit comprises a hydraulic unit, and the installation comprises hydraulic drives. The hydraulic unit and the hydraulic drives ensure a flexible adjustment to structural space conditions and achieve great positioning precision.

In this, it is favourable if the energy supply unit comprises a combustion engine and a tank container. By means of the combustion engine and the tank container, the modular unit is operated independently and energy self-sufficiently.

A continuing variant provides that the energy supply unit comprises an electric machine and an electric energy store. By means of the electric machine (generator or motor) and the energy store, the modular unit can be operated in an emission-free manner, if required.

Additionally it is advantageous if a sleeve, designed to be pushed onto a container mandrel of the container flat car, is arranged as fastening means. By this, the modular unit is fastened in a simple manner at the support points for standard containers.

Another continuing variant provides that a clamping device is arranged as fastening means which is designed to be pushed onto a socket provided for a container mandrel on the container flat car. The clamping device can absorb greater forces than the container mandrel.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the energy supply unit has a connection for energy supply of a further modular unit situated on the container flat car. Thus, several modular units situated on a container flat car can be operated with a common energy supply unit.

Advantageously, the installation comprises a pivot beam. The pivot beam serves as support bracket for the long-welded rails. Its pivot arms can be pivoted for loading and unloading procedures.

It is further advantageous if the installation comprises a rail clamping unit. With this, the rails are anchored securely in order to avoid any sliding during transport travel.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the installation comprises a rail impact wall. The rail impact wall constitutes an additional safety installation of the rail loading train and prevents, for example, the rails from sliding in the direction of a driver's cabin in case of emergency braking.

Additionally it is advantageous that the modular unit comprises a crane buffer for a gantry crane. By means of the crane buffers arranged in each case at the ends of the rail loading train, a derailing of the gantry crane is reliably counteracted.

In an improved embodiment of the invention, the modular unit in a horizontal projection has dimensions and anchorings of a 20′ container. With this, the modular unit is fastened at the support points of a 20′ standard container.

Another variant provides that the modular unit in a horizontal projection has dimensions and anchorings of a 30′ container. With this, the modular unit is fastened at the support points of a 30′ standard container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. There is shown, schematically:

FIG. 1 an overall view of a container flat car including a modular unit

FIG. 2 an energy supply unit

FIG. 3 a modular unit with pivot beam

FIG. 4 a modular unit with pivot beam, crane buffer and rail impact wall

FIG. 5 a modular unit with a rail clamping unit

FIG. 6 a view of container mandrel

FIG. 7 fastening means of clamping device

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a view of a container flat car 2, mobile by means of on-track undercarriages 1, on which devices for the transport of long-welded rails 3 are arranged. Several such container flat cars are coupled together to form a rail loading train. The devices are designed in each case as a modular unit 3 which is anchored by means of fastening means 5 on a base frame 6 of the container float car 2. The modular unit 3 comprises a module frame 7, preferably formed by steel beams, on which an installation 8 for guiding and/or locking the rails 4 is arranged. Furthermore, an energy supply unit 9 is associated with the modular unit 3. Mounted laterally at either side of the container flat car 2 is a crane rail 10 for a gantry crane mobile in the longitudinal direction 11 of the track. The crane rail 10 is either fixedly arranged or laterally displaceable.

FIG. 2 shows the schematically depicted energy supply unit 9. The latter is arranged in a space-saving manner within the module frame 7. The energy supply unit 9 comprises, for example, a hydraulic unit. Arranged as a drive in the energy supply unit 9 is a combustion engine with tank container, an electric machine with electric energy store, or a hybrid drive.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a detail view of the modular unit 3 with closed pivot beam 12. The pivot beam 12 is arranged laterally on longitudinal beams 13 of the module frame 7. For a loading- or unloading operation, a pivot beam arm 15 is pivoted outward in each case about a vertical axis 16 via a pivot beam joint 14. Each modular unit 3 has lifting lugs 17 in order to load the required modular unit 3 on the container flat car 2 by means of a crane.

In FIG. 4, the modular unit 3 is equipped with pivot beams 12, crane buffers 18 and a rail impact wall 19. All installations 8 are fastened laterally at the longitudinal beams 13 of the module frame 7. Like the pivot beam 12, the rail impact wall 19 is designed to be pivotable about a vertical axis 16 for loading and unloading the rail loading train with rails 4. The rail impact wall 19 and pivot beam 12 have separate hydraulic drives 20 in each case which are operated via the energy supply unit 9. The crane buffer 18 ensures secure containment of the gantry crane.

FIG. 5 shows a further variant of the modular unit 3 with a rail clamping unit 21. The latter is likewise fastened to the longitudinal beams 13 of the module frame 7 and comprises supports 22 to counteract the enormous longitudinal forces during braking- and starting procedures. The fastening means 5 are arranged underneath on the module frame 7. The rail clamping unit 21 also has a hydraulic drive 20.

Shown in FIG. 6 is a variant of a support point 23 for standard containers. A fold-away container mandrel 24 is arranged in a socket 25 on a base frame 26 of the container flat car 2. The fastening means 5 located in the module frame 7 comprises a sleeve 27 (FIG. 3) and is simply pushed over the container mandrel 24 and then locked with a safety catch.

FIG. 7 shows a variant of embodiment of the fastening means 5 which is represented here without the module frame 7 connected thereto. The fastening means 5 is designed in this case as a clamping device 28. With this it is possible to transmit great forces. This is advantageous particularly for a modular unit 3 with a rail clamping unit 21 arranged thereon. This is because very great inertial forces of the rails 4 act upon the rail clamping unit 21 during starting and braking of the rail loading train. The tilting moments generated in the process have to be absorbed by the fastening means 5. The clamping device 28 is mounted in place of the container mandrel 24. A delimiting by means of the socket 25 safeguards the clamping device 28 additionally against lateral sliding. Moreover, a claw 29 grips a frame edge 30 of the container flat car 2, by which a tilting of the modular unit 3 is reliably avoided. For mounting the modular unit 3 on the container flat car 2, the claw 29 is arranged detachably on a base member 31 of the clamping device 29. To that end, screw connections 32 are provided, for example. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A device for the transport of long-welded rails by way of a rail loading train, the device comprising: a modular unit with an installation for secured storage of the rails, said modular unit having a fastening device for anchoring on a container flat car and including a separate energy supply unit.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said fastening device is arranged on a module frame, and said installation is configured for guiding and/or locking the rails and is fastened to said module frame.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein said energy supply unit comprises a hydraulic unit, and said installation comprises hydraulic drives.
 18. The device according to claim 15, wherein said energy supply unit comprises a combustion engine and a tank container.
 19. The device according to claim 15, wherein said energy supply unit comprises an electric machine and an electric energy storage device.
 20. The device according to claim 15, which comprises a sleeve forming said fastening device and being configured to be pushed onto a container mandrel of the container flat car.
 21. The device according to claim 15, which comprises a clamping device forming said fastening device and being configured to be pushed onto a socket for a container mandrel provided on the container flat car.
 22. The device according to claim 15, wherein said energy supply unit comprises a connection for energy supply of a further modular unit disposed on the container flat car.
 23. The device according to claim 15, wherein said installation comprises a pivot beam.
 24. The device according to claim 15, wherein said installation comprises a rail clamping unit.
 25. The device according to claim 15, wherein said installation comprises a rail impact wall.
 26. The device according to claim 15, wherein said modular unit comprises a crane buffer for a gantry crane.
 27. The device according to claim 15, wherein, in a horizontal projection, said modular unit has dimensions and anchorings for a 20 ft. container.
 28. The device according to claim 15, wherein, in a horizontal projection, said modular unit has dimensions and anchorings for a 30 ft. container. 